Integrated circuit metal gate structure and method of fabrication

ABSTRACT

A method of forming a gate structure is provided. The method includes providing a metal layer in the gate structure, the metal layer includes an oxygen-gettering composition. The metal layer getters oxygen from the interface layer, which may decrease the thickness of the interface layer. The gettered oxygen converts the metal layer to a metal oxide, which may act as a gate dielectric for the gate structure. A multi-layer metal gate structure is also provided including a oxygen-gettering metal layer, an oxygen-containing metal layer, and a polysilicon interface metal layer overlying a high-k gate dielectric.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims the priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of U.S. Provisional Application 61/090,674 filed Aug. 21, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. The present disclosure is related to commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application No. 61/091,664, filed Aug. 25, 2008 for “Semiconductor Device Gate Structure Including A Gettering Layer”, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally an integrated circuit device and, more particularly, a gate structure of a semiconductor device.

As technology nodes decrease, semiconductor fabrication processes have introduced the use of gate dielectric materials having a high dielectric constant (e.g., high-k dielectrics). The high-k dielectrics exhibit a higher dielectric constant than the traditionally used silicon dioxide, which allows for thicker dielectric layers to be used to obtain similar equivalent oxide thicknesses (EOTs). The processes also benefit from the introduction of metal gate structures providing a lower resistance than the traditional polysilicon gate structures.

In particular as gate lengths decrease, minimization of equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) becomes more critical. However, an interfacial layer may be required between the gate dielectric layer (e.g., HfO₂) and the silicon substrate. The interfacial layer also contributes to the EOT of the gate structure. Therefore, as the scale of gate lengths decrease, the thickness of the interfacial layer becomes more critical. It is also desirable to increase the dielectric constant of the gate dielectric to control the EOT of the gate structure. Further, it is desirable to cure oxygen vacancies in the gate dielectric layer.

Therefore, what is needed is an improved gate structure and fabrication method.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a semiconductor device is illustrated. A semiconductor substrate is provided. An interface layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate. A gate dielectric layer is formed on the interface layer. A metal layer is formed on the gate dielectric layer. The metal layer is oxidized to form a metal oxide layer. The oxidizing the metal layer includes gettering oxygen from the interface layer.

In another embodiment, a method of semiconductor device fabrication including forming a multi-layer metal gate is provided. A semiconductor substrate is provided. An interfacial layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate. A high-k dielectric layer is formed on the interfacial layer. A multi-layer metal gate is formed on the high-k dielectric layer. The multi-layer metal gate includes: a first metal layer, the first metal layer includes an oxygen-gettering composition, a second metal layer, the second metal layer includes at least one of an oxidizable-composition and an oxygen-containing metal; and a third metal layer. In an embodiment, the third metal layer provides a suitable interface to an overlying polysilicon layer.

In an embodiment, a semiconductor device is provided. The device includes a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode formed on the gate dielectric layer. The gate electrode includes a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and a third metal layer. The first metal layer includes an oxygen-gettering composition. The second metal layer includes oxygen. The third metal layer includes an interface with a polysilicon layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method of forming a gate structure including a high-k gate dielectric.

FIGS. 2-6 are cross-sectional views of a semiconductor device corresponding to the steps of an embodiment of the method of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device including a multiple-layer metal gate structure.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method of fabricating a multiple-layer metal gate.

FIGS. 9-11 are cross-sectional views of a semiconductor device corresponding to the steps of an embodiment of the method of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates generally to forming an integrated circuit device on a substrate and, more particularly, to fabricating a gate structure of a semiconductor device (e.g., FET device). It is understood, however, that the following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the invention. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed. Furthermore, descriptions of a first layer “on,” “overlying,” (and like descriptions) a second layer include embodiments where the first and second layer are in direct contact and those where one or more layers are interposing the first and second layer.

Referring to FIG. 1, illustrated is a flowchart providing an embodiment of a method 100 of forming a gate structure. FIGS. 2-6 provide exemplary devices corresponding to the fabrication steps of FIG. 1. The method 100 may be included during processing of a semiconductor device, or portion thereof, that may comprise static random access memory (SRAM) and/or other logic circuits, passive components such as resistors, capacitors, and inductors, and active components such as P-channel field effect transistors (PFET), N-channel FET (NFET), metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFET), complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) transistors, bipolar transistors, high voltage transistors, high frequency transistors, other memory cells, and combinations thereof.

The method 100 begins at step 102 where a substrate (e.g., wafer) is provided. In the example of FIG. 2, a substrate 202 is provided. In an embodiment, the substrate 202 includes a silicon substrate in crystalline structure. The substrate 202 may include various doping configurations depending on design requirements as is known in the art (e.g., p-type substrate or n-type substrate). Other examples of the substrate 202 may also include other elementary semiconductors such as germanium and diamond. Alternatively, the substrate 202 may include a compound semiconductor such as, silicon carbide, gallium arsenide, indium arsenide, or indium phosphide. Further, the substrate 202 may optionally include an epitaxial layer (epi layer), may be strained for performance enhancement, and/or may include a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structure. Further still, the substrate 202 may include a plurality of features formed thereon, including active regions, isolation regions, source/drain regions, isolation features (e.g., shallow trench isolation features), and/or other features known in the art.

The method 100 then proceeds to step 104 where an interfacial layer is formed on the substrate. In the example of FIG. 3, an interfacial layer 302 is formed on the substrate 202. The interfacial layer 302 may include silicon, oxygen, and/or nitrogen. In an embodiment, the interfacial layer 302 includes SiO₂. The interfacial layer 302 may be formed by atomic layer deposition (ALD), wet cleaning, thermal oxidation, and/or other suitable process. In an embodiment, the interfacial layer 302 thickness t1 is approximately 8 Angstroms.

The method 100 then proceeds to step 106 where a gate dielectric layer is formed on the substrate. The gate dielectric layer may be formed on the interfacial layer. In an embodiment, gate dielectric layer includes a high-k (high dielectric constant) material. In the example of FIG. 3, a gate dielectric layer 304 is formed on the substrate 202. The gate dielectric layer 304 includes a high-k dielectric material. In an embodiment, the high-k dielectric material is hafnium oxide (HfO₂). Other examples of high-k dielectrics include hafnium silicon oxide (HfSiO), hafnium silicon oxynitride (HfSiON), hafnium tantalum oxide (HfTaO), hafnium titanium oxide (HfTiO), hafnium zirconium oxide (HfZrO), combinations thereof, and/or other suitable materials. In an embodiment, the gate dielectric layer 304 includes HfO₂ and has a k-value of approximately 20. In embodiments, additional layers, such as capping layers and/or buffer layers, may be formed over the interfacial layer 302, overlying and/or underlying the gate dielectric layer 304. Example capping layer compositions include LaOx, AlOx, MgOx, and/or other suitable metal oxide compositions. The gate dielectric layer 304 may be fabricated using ALD, CVD, PVD, and/or other suitable processes.

The method 100 then proceeds to step 108 where a metal layer is formed on the substrate overlying the interfacial layer. Referring to the example of FIG. 4, the metal layer 402 is formed. The metal composition of the metal layer 402 may include elemental metal or metal-rich nitride. The metal layer 402 includes a composition that can getter oxygen (for example, from the interfacial layer) and/or is easily oxidizable. The composition of the metal layer 402 may be selected such that it, when oxidized, provides a layer having a high dielectric constant such as described below with reference to step 112. Examples include Ti, Ta, Hf, Zr, W, TiN, TaN, and other suitable metals. The metal layer 402 may include a thickness between approximately 2 and 20 angstroms. The metal layer 402 may be formed using processes such as physical vapor deposition (PVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), metal oxide chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), and/or other suitable processes.

Oxygen from the interfacial layer 302 may be gettered by the metal layer 402 as the metal layer 402 is being deposited. This may result in a thinner interfacial layer and/or suppress interfacial layer growth that may occur, for example, during high temperature processing (e.g., deposition of the metal layer 402). Oxygen may be gettered from other layers, for example, gate dielectric layer and/or capping layers, in addition to or in lieu of oxygen from the interfacial layer. The gettering of oxygen may contribute to the conversion of the metal layer into metal oxide layer, described below with reference to step 112.

The method 100 then proceeds to step 110 where a metal gate is formed. The formation of the metal gate includes providing a work function metal. In an embodiment, the metal gate or portion thereof (e.g., the work function layer) is deposited in-situ (e.g., formed immediately following the formation of the first metal layer without physical transfer of the substrate, for example, to another location, tool, or chamber) with the metal layer, described above with reference to step 108. In-situ deposition of the metal gate reduces and/or eliminates oxidation of the metal layer (e.g., such that it remains an oxygen-gettering composition). Referring to the example of FIG. 5, the metal gate 502 is formed on the metal layer 402. The metal gate 502 may be fabricated by PVD, ALD, CVD, plating, and/or other suitable processes. The metal gate 502 may include a single metal layer, a dual metal gate, include capping layers, and/or other suitable metal gate structures known in the art. The metal gate 502 may include one or more layers including Ti, TiN, TaN, Ta, TaC, TaSiN, W, WN, MoN, MoON, RuO₂, and/or other suitable materials. Examples of metals that may be deposited include p-type metal materials and n-type metal materials. P-type metal materials include compositions such as ruthenium, palladium, platinum, cobalt, nickel, and conductive metal oxides, and/or other suitable materials. N-type metal materials include compositions such as hafnium, zirconium, titanium, tantalum, aluminum, metal carbides (e.g., hafnium carbide, zirconium carbide, titanium carbide, aluminum carbide), aluminides, and/or other suitable materials. Other materials may deposited in addition to the work function metals (e.g., fill metals) and may include titanium nitride, tungsten, titanium, aluminum, tantalum, tantalum nitride, cobalt, copper, nickel, and/or other suitable materials. In an embodiment, the metal gate 502, or portion thereof, is formed in-situ with the metal layer 402.

The method 100 then proceeds to step 112 where the metal layer formed in step 108 is converted to a gate dielectric layer. Referring to the example of FIG. 6, the metal oxide layer 602 is formed (converted from the metal layer 402, described above with reference to FIG. 4). The metal oxide layer 602 provides a gate dielectric layer for the gate structure 600. In other words, the metal oxide layer 602 and the gate dielectric layer 304 together provide the gate dielectric for the gate structure 600. Thus, the equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) for the structure 600 is determined by the combination of the metal oxide layer 602 and the gate dielectric layer 304 (as well as any interfacial layer 302). The metal oxide layer 602 and the gate dielectric layer 304 may be homogenous or gradient in structure. In an embodiment, the metal oxide layer 602 may provide a greater k value than the gate dielectric layer 304, for example, may provide a dielectric constant greater than that of HfO₂. Examples of such metal oxides include TiO₂ and Ta₂O₅.

The following description provides various processes that may be used in the fabrication of the metal oxide layer 602 (e.g., conversion of the metal layer 402). However, the descriptions are exemplary only, and not intended to be limiting in any manner. One or more of the described processes may be used in conjunction.

In an embodiment, the metal layer 402 is oxidized prior to the formation of the metal gate, described above with reference to step 110. Oxidation may be performed to transform the metal layer 402 to a metal-rich oxide or oxynitride. The oxidation may include a high temperature anneal in an oxygen-containing ambient environment, a low temperature/high pressure introduction of O₂/N₂ gases, and/or other suitable processes.

In an embodiment, oxidation of the metal layer 402 may be performed after the metal gate, or portion thereof, is formed. Oxidation may be performed to transform the metal layer 402 to a metal-rich oxide or oxynitride. The oxidation may include a high temperature anneal in an oxygen-containing ambient environment, a low temperature/high pressure introduction of O₂/N₂ gases, and/or other suitable processes.

A high temperature process such as an anneal may be used to convert the metal layer 402 into the metal oxide layer 602. In an embodiment, a rapid thermal anneal process is used to activate the source/drain regions associated with the gate structure. The process may further provide the benefit of converting the metal layer 402 into the metal oxide layer 602.

During an elevated temperature process, such as the source/drain activation anneal, the metal layer 402 may also absorb (e.g., getter) oxygen released from the interfacial layer 302 and/or the gate dielectric layer 304. The gettering of oxygen from other layers of the gate structure, may reduce the thickness, for example, of the interfacial layer 302, such that EOT is reduced.

The metal oxide layer 602 acts as a gate dielectric layer of the gate structure 600. In an embodiment, the metal oxide layer 602 is substantially homogenous with the gate dielectric layer 304. In an embodiment, the metal oxide layer 602 and the gate dielectric layer 304 form a gradient gate dielectric structure. The metal oxide layer 602 may include oxides or oxinitrides of Ti, Ta, Hf, Zr, W, and/or other suitable metals. The dielectric constant (k-value) of the formed gate dielectric is determined by the selected metal layer 402 composition, described above with reference to step 108. In an embodiment, the k-value of the formed metal oxide gate dielectric may be greater than the k-value of the originally deposited gate dielectric layer, described above with reference to step 106.

In embodiments, the method 100 may continue to include further processing steps such as formation of interconnects, contacts, capping layers, and/or other suitable features. The method 100 may be included in a “gate last” process where the metal gate structure described herein is formed in a trench. The trench being formed by the removal of a dummy gate structure (e.g., sacrificial polysilicon gate). Alternatively, the method 100 may be included in a “gate first” process.

Referring now to FIG. 7, illustrated is a portion of a semiconductor device 700. The device 700 may comprise static random access memory (SRAM) and/or other logic circuits, passive components such as resistors, capacitors, and inductors, and active components such as P-channel field effect transistors (PFET), N-channel FET (NFET), metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFET), complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) transistors, bipolar transistors, high voltage transistors, high frequency transistors, other memory cells, and combinations thereof. The semiconductor device 700 includes a gate structure 702 which includes multi-layer metal gate (e.g., metal layers 714, 716, and 718 described below).

The semiconductor device 700 includes a substrate 704. The substrate 704 may be substantially similar to the substrate 202, described above with reference to FIG. 2. A plurality of shallow trench isolation (STI) structures 706 are formed on the substrate to isolate one or more devices (e.g., transistors) from each other. The STI structures 706 may include silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, fluoride-doped silicate glass (FSG), and/or a low k dielectric material. Other isolation methods and/or features are possible in lieu of or in addition to STI features. The STI features 706 may be formed using processes such as reactive ion etch (RIE) of the substrate 704 to form trenches which are then filled with insulator material using deposition processes, followed by a CMP process.

Source/drain regions 708 including lightly doped source/drain regions and heavy doped source/drain regions, are disposed on the substrate 704 adjacent to (and associated with) the gate structure 702 of the semiconductor device 700. The source/drain regions 708 may be formed by implanting p-type or n-type dopants or impurities into the substrate 704 depending on the desired transistor configuration. The source/drain features 708 may be formed by methods including photolithography, ion implantation, diffusion, and/or other suitable processes.

Spacers 720 are formed on the sidewalls of the gate structure 702 of the semiconductor device 700. The spacers 720 may be formed of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicon carbide, fluoride-doped silicate glass (FSG), a low k dielectric material, combinations thereof, and/or other suitable material. The spacers 720 may have a multiple layer structure, for example, including one or more liner layers. The liner layers may include a dielectric material such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and/or other suitable materials. The spacers 720 may be formed by methods including deposition of suitable dielectric material and anisotropically etching the material to form the spacer 720 profile.

The gate structure 702 of the semiconductor device 700 includes an interfacial layer 710, a gate dielectric 712, and a metal gate, which includes a first metal gate layer 714, a second metal gate layer 716, and a third metal gate layer 718. The interfacial layer 710 may be substantially similar to the interfacial layer 302, described above with reference to FIG. 3. The gate dielectric 712 may be substantially similar to the gate dielectric 304, described above with reference to FIG. 3. The gate structure 702 may include additional layers, such as capping layers.

The first metal layer 714 of the metal gate includes an oxygen-gettering composition. The first metal layer 714 may getter oxygen from the interface layer 710. The gettering may allow for reduction of the interfacial layer 710 thickness and/or restriction of the growth of the interfacial layer 710 during subsequent processing (e.g., high temperature processing). Examples of oxygen-gettering compositions include metal-rich nitrides such as Ti-rich TiN or TiSiN, metal-rich carbides such as Ta-rich TaC, and/or other suitable compositions. In an embodiment, the thickness of the first metal layer 714 is between approximately 1 and 5 nanometers. In an embodiment, the thickness of the first metal layer 714 is between approximately 5 and 50 Angstroms. The first metal layer 714 is formed using processes such as PVD, ALD, MOCVD, and/or other suitable processes.

The second metal layer 716 includes a composition that provides for easy oxidation and/or oxygen diffusion. The second metal layer 716 may include an oxygen-containing metal layer. In an embodiment, the second metal layer 716, as deposited, includes an oxidizable-metal composition. Examples of preferred suitable compositions include carbon-rich TaC, TaCO, TaCNO, and other suitable compositions. Examples of compositions further include TaN, oxygen containing metals such as, TiON, MoON, and/or other suitable compositions. In an embodiment, the thickness of the second metal layer 716 is between approximately 1 and 5 nanometers. In an embodiment, the thickness of the second metal layer 716 is between approximately 5 and 50 Angstroms. The second metal layer 716 may be formed using processes such as PVD, ALD, MOCVD, and/or other suitable processes. In an embodiment, an elemental metal or metal nitride layer is formed. An oxidation is then performed to form the oxygen-containing second metal layer 716. The oxidation may include an anneal in an oxygen atmosphere, a plasma treatment including an O₂ plasma, a low temperature anneal under high pressure with a O₂/N₂ atmosphere, and/or other suitable processes. In an embodiment, an O2 plasma treatment is performed at a temperature of ambient to 300 C. In an embodiment, a low temperature anneal under high pressure is performed using a temperature of 500-800 C. The O₂/N₂ may be tuned from pure O₂ to O₂/N₂ partial pressure ratio of approximately 1%.

The third metal layer 718 includes a composition that is compatible with polysilicon. In an embodiment, a polysilicon capping layer is formed on the third metal layer 718. The third metal layer 718 may include a composition such that it is resistant to oxidation and/or provides a low surface roughness. Examples of suitable compositions include N-rich TiN, TaN, carbon-rich TaC, and/or other suitable materials. The third metal layer 718 may be formed using processes such as, PVD, ALD, MOCVD, and/or other suitable processes. In an embodiment, the third metal layer 718 includes a thickness between approximately 1 and 15 nanometers. In an embodiment, the third metal layer 718 includes a thickness between approximately 5 and 50 Angstroms. In an embodiment, a polysilicon layer is formed on the third metal layer 718 and no silicide is formed between the interface of the two layers.

Thus, the first metal layer 714 may getter oxygen from the interfacial layer 710. The gettering of the oxygen may reduce the thickness and/or restrict the growth of the interfacial layer 710. The second metal layer 716 may provide oxygen to the gate dielectric layer 714. Thus, the multi-layer gate structure allows for incorporating oxygen into the gate dielectric layer 712 to repair oxygen vacancy which, for example, controls the threshold voltage of the PMOS device and controls the EOT.

The device 700 may be fabricated using a “gate last” process or a “gate first” process. The device 700 may be formed using the method 800 or portion thereof, described below with reference to FIG. 8. Other layers may be present on the device 700 including capping layers, buffer layers, metal layers, interconnects, interlayer dielectrics, and/or other known features.

Referring now to FIG. 8, illustrated is a method 800 for fabricating a semiconductor device including a multi-layer metal gate such as, the semiconductor device 700 described above with reference to FIG. 7. FIGS. 9-11 illustrate cross-sectional views of a semiconductor device according to the method 800. The method 800 begins at step 802 where a substrate is provided. The substrate may be substantially similar to the substrate 704, described above with reference to FIG. 7.

The method 800 then proceeds to step 804 where an interface layer is formed on the substrate. The interface layer may include silicon, oxygen, nitrogen, and/or other suitable materials. In an embodiment, the interface layer includes SiO₂. The interface layer may be formed by ALD, wet cleaning, oxidation, O₃ treatment, and/or other suitable processes. The layer may be substantially similar to the interfacial layer 710, described above with reference to FIG. 7. The method 800 then proceeds to step 806 where a gate dielectric layer is formed. The gate dielectric layer may include a high-k dielectric material. The gate dielectric layer may be substantially similar to the gate dielectric layer 712, described above with reference to FIG. 7. In an embodiment, one or more additional layers may be formed in step 806 such as, capping layers underlying or overlying the gate dielectric.

The method 800 then proceeds to step 808 where a first metal layer and a second metal layer of the multi-layer metal gate are formed. The first metal layer includes a composition having an oxygen-gettering effect. The first metal layer may be substantially similar to the first metal layer 714, described above with reference to FIG. 7. The second metal layer may include an oxygen-containing metal composition (e.g, as deposited or after oxidation as described below). In an embodiment, the second metal layer is substantially similar to the second metal layer 716, described above with reference to FIG. 7. The first and second metal layer may be formed in any sequence, for example, the second underlying the first metal layer.

In an embodiment, the first metal layer and the second metal layer are formed in-situ (e.g., a second metal layer is formed immediately following the formation of a first metal layer without physical transfer of the substrate, for example, to another location, tool, or chamber). The in-situ processing may be preferred to prevent uncontrolled oxidation of the first metal layer. This allows for subsequent incorporation of oxygen in a controlled manner (e.g., gettered from an interfacial layer). In an alternative embodiment, the first metal layer and the second metal layer are formed ex-situ.

The first and second metal layers may be formed by PVD, ALD, MOCVD, and/or other processes known in the art. In an embodiment, the formation of the second metal layer includes an oxidation process. For example, a layer of elemental metal or metal nitride may be formed on the first metal layer. This elemental metal or metal nitride layer is then oxidized to form the second metal layer of an oxygen-containing metal composition. Processes used to oxidize the metal include annealing in an O₂ atmosphere, O₂ plasma treatment, a low temperature/high pressure O₂/N₂ anneal, and/or other suitable processes.

The first metal layer may getter oxygen from the interface layer. It is desirable to control the thickness of the interface layer in order to reduce the equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) of the transistor. The interface layer thickness, after deposition, may increase during subsequent fabrication processes (e.g., exposure to high temperature). The gettering of oxygen from the interface layer may reduce the thickness of the interface layer and/or restrict the growth of the interface layer. The gettering of the oxygen may contribute to an increased thickness of the first metal layer and/or the oxidation of the first metal layer.

The second metal layer, an oxygen-rich layer, may serve to transfer oxygen to the gate dielectric layer. The transferred oxygen may repair oxygen vacancies in the gate dielectric layer that are created during subsequent processing (e.g., rapid thermal anneal). Oxygen vacancies can induce a high threshold voltage of a PMOS device, enhance trapping and positive bias temperature instability (PBTI) of a MOS transistor.

The method 800 then proceeds to step 810 where a third metal layer of the multi-layer metal gate is formed. The third metal layer may be substantially similar to the third metal layer 718, described above with reference to FIG. 7. The third metal layer may be formed by PVD, ALD, MOCVD, and/or other suitable processes. In an embodiment, the third metal layer and the second metal layer are formed in-situ. In an alternative embodiment, the third metal layer and the second metal layer are formed ex-situ. The third metal may provide an effective interface with an overlying layer such as, a polysilicon layer.

The method 800 then proceeds to step 812 where an anneal is performed. The anneal may be performed in an oxygen environment. The anneal process may include high temperature anneal, or a low temperature high pressure (e.g., 20 atm) anneal. The anneal may serve to incorporate oxygen into the gate dielectric layer and/or the second metal layer. The incorporation of oxygen can reduce the oxygen vacancies as described above with reference to step 810. In an embodiment, step 812 is omitted from the method 800.

While the preceding description shows and describes one or more embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the claims should be interpreted in a broad manner, consistent with the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, comprising: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming an interface layer on the semiconductor substrate; forming a first gate dielectric layer on the interface layer; forming a first layer on the first gate dielectric layer, wherein the first layer is a metal layer; oxidizing the first layer to form a metal oxide layer, wherein the oxidizing the metal layer includes gettering oxygen from the interface layer; forming a second layer including a metal oxide, wherein the forming the second layer includes depositing a layer of at least one of TaC, TaCO, TaCNO and oxidizing the deposited layer using at least one of an anneal and a plasma process, and further includes diffusing oxygen from the second layer to the first gate dielectric layer; and forming a third layer on the second layer; wherein the third layer includes metal.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the oxidizing further includes gettering oxygen from the first gate dielectric layer.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the interface layer includes silicon oxide.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the metal oxide layer forms a second gate dielectric layer.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second gate dielectric has a dielectric constant greater than the first gate dielectric.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the oxidizing the first layer to form a metal oxide layer includes a rapid thermal anneal (RTA) process.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first layer is selected from the group consisting of Ti, Ta, Hf, Zr, W, TiN, and TaN.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first layer is at least one of an elemental metal layer or a metal-rich nitride layer.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the third layer is a work function metal.
 10. A method of semiconductor device fabrication, comprising: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming an interfacial layer on the semiconductor substrate; depositing a high-k dielectric layer on the interfacial layer; forming a multi-layer metal gate on the high-k dielectric layer, wherein the multi-layer metal gate includes: forming a first layer, wherein the first layer includes an oxygen gettering composition selected from the group consisting of TaC, TaCO, TaCNO, TaN, TiON, and MoON; gettering oxygen from the interfacial layer using the first layer; forming a second layer in-situ with the forming the first layer, wherein the second layer has a composition which includes a metal and oxygen; oxidizing the second layer to form a metal oxide layer; diffusing oxygen from the oxidized second layer to the high-k dielectric layer; and forming a third metal layer.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first layer includes a metal-rich nitride.
 12. The method of claim 10, third metal is selected from the group consisting of N-rich TiN, N-rich TaN, C-rich TaC, and combinations thereof.
 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising: diffusing oxygen from second layer to the high-k dielectric layer, wherein the second layer is a metal oxide.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first layer is selected from the group consisting of carbon-rich TaC, TaCO, TaCNO, TaN, MoON, TiON, and combinations thereof.
 15. The method of claim 10, wherein the first layer is selected from the group consisting of TiN, TiSiN, TaC, and combinations thereof. 